Zpacks Duplex

The Zpacks Duplex is arguably the most recognized ultralight tent on the market — a two-person single-wall tarp tent pitched with two trekking poles and no poles in the pack. The non-freestanding design relies on tension between the peaks and eight stakes, with a 0.55 oz/sqyd DCF fly and a heavier 1.0 oz/sqyd DCF bathtub floor, seams factory-taped. Listed specs put weight at 541 g, floor at 224 × 114 cm, and peak height at 122 cm — for two people that's 271 g and 1.28 m² of floor per person, an above-average ratio for a two-person DCF tent. The inner is partial mesh rather than full-mesh, trading ventilation for slightly better warmth retention. Two side-opening doors with separate vestibules let both occupants get in and out without climbing over one another. The Duplex suits 3-season backpacking and thru-hiking where a pair counts every shared gram. As with all non-freestanding DCF tents, pitching it cleanly depends on solid stake-out ground and some practice tensioning the fly — without both, it won't pitch as taut as a freestanding pole tent.